Tech

Are Amphibious Homes the Solution to Flooding?

The UK's Environmental Agency is hoping to introduce amphibious (or floating) homes to parts of the country to better protect against floods.

Earlier this year, the agency approved a plan for architecture firm Baca Architects to construct an amphibious housing structure in Buckinghamshire, a region about 40 miles northwest of London.

Although the plans were solidified back in February, the recent flooding in the UK — which has so far displaced more than 900 people from their homes — is pushing construction workers to finish the project sooner, the BBC reports.

The house underworks will sit on a platform on top of hollow pontoons, made from concrete and timber. When the area floods, the house becomes a free-floating pontoon (see the graphic below.) In extreme flooding, the website says, the house can rise about eight feet above its resting position. All pipes for water, gas, sewage and electricity are flexible, so they keep running when the house rises a few feet.

The downside? The house's estimated cost is $2.4 million.

Watch the video above to learn more. Do you think the price is worth the safety? Should there be development in flood zones? Tell us what you think.

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